2012: A year of CEO departures

Sir Howard Stringer announced in February that he was to step down as
Sony chief executive after seven years in the role. He was the first
non-Japanese person to hold the position. He relinquished his day-to-day
role, but remained with Sony as chairman of its board of directors, which
started in June. He was replaced by Sony veteran Kazuo Hirai in April as the
electronics and entertainment giant tries to turn its fortunes around.